Harry's praise for pair

19 January 2009 02:32

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Harry Redknapp had words of praise for Luka Modric and David Bentley after Sunday's draw against Portsmouth.
Luka impressed again and set up Jermain Defoe's equaliser in arguably his toughest test to date in central midfield while David provided an extra spark off the bench as we pushed for the winner, forcing a fine save from David James and setting up a golden chance for Darren Bent that unfortunately ended up wide.
"Luka was fantastic, unbelievable," said Harry. "He showed character, rode tackles, he was brave as a lion.
"We all look at him and say 'can he play in midfield?' but he showed he could do the lot. When we needed him he carried the game to them.
"David Bentley came off the bench and did everything I asked of him.
"I spoke to him last week, told him what I expect of him, told him what makes him a player and he went out and did it.
"That was the David Bentley I knew at Blackburn, the David Bentley I knew as a kid at Arsenal and Norwich on loan. The penny's dropped with him and I think we'll see a different David Bentley from now on.
"Woodgate and Dawson were fantastic at the back as well."